Press Release

Abu Dhabi, 22 August 2013 – Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s head sommelier. Eduardo Perez, is embarking on a rare opportunity to achieve prestigious sommelier titles at the 2013 Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Best Sommelier Competition on 29 August 2013 and at the Heidelberg Advanced Master Sommelier in Germany in September 2013.

Mr. Perez is on a mission to China and Germany, wherein he and the Shangri-La team of the Abu Dhabi property are confidently looking forward to the prospect of the hotel’s head sommelier receiving coveted accolades.

Mr. Perez is one of 13 semi-finalists out of 26 sommelier nominees to join the Shangri-La’s group-wide competition. Judged by 2010 World’s Best Sommelier Gerard Basset, this prestigious competition is part of the five-day Shangri-La Wine Summit – Shanghai 2013. One of the summit’s main components includes a master wine educational seminar with Mr. Basset.

Mr. Perez, of Mexican origin, joined Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi in January 2012 to run the overall administration of the hotel’s wine operations. He is also responsible for the success of the hotel’s wine dinners. Prior to joining the Shangri-La family, he held the same post in a prestigious resort in Seychelles.

Mr. Perez has an extensive experience in wine tasting, having worked in New York, San Francisco, Barcelona, Mauritius, Madrid Seychelles, Doha and Dubai, and having undergone trainings from a three-Michelin star restaurant in Spain.

“It is our absolute pleasure to have Eduardo Perez with us as Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s head sommelier,” said General Manager Arbind K. Shrestha. “We believe that his expertise and wealth of knowledge deserves prominent recognition.”

Presently, Mr. Perez is hosting an exclusive wine tasting, the Wine Club Sessions, at the hotel every third Friday of the month until December 2013. For more information on the Wine Club Sessions, please contact Restaurant Reservations on (971 2) 509 8555.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 98 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 40,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in Mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.